Turning signal for road vehicles



p 19 A. ROBERTS TURNING SIGNALl FOR ROAD VEHICLES Filed 001'.. 27, 1925 Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT AUSTIN ROBERTS, OF PRETORIA, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA.

TURNING SIGNAL FOR ROAD VEHICLES.

Application led October 27, 1925, Serial No. 65,068, and in the Union of South Africa November 3, 1924i.

This invention relates to turning signals for road vehicles and has particular reference to that class of signals which can be illuminated as and when desired.

The object of the invention is to provide a turning signal the use of which will reduce ti'aflic accidents to a minimum by indicating the intentions of drivers to slow, stop or turn, and direction of turning. A further object is to provide a signal of the kind rcferred to of simple construct-ion and one which is inconspicuous when out of use and unmistakable when in use.

In accordance with my invention I provide a signal composed of a plurality of arms pivotally connected together at or near their base and so arranged and combined that the arms when in operation are splayed in fantail formation. A further feature of my invent-ion is the illumination of the arms from a cent-ral position at or near their base thus reflecting or dispersing the light along alternate sides of the arms and so admitting a View of the signal from both back and front and throwing a. more or less wedge-shaped and distinctive light. A still further feature of my invention is the provision of a padded box f-orthe reception of the arms when not in operation thus effectually preventing clatter and preserving the arms and light from damage.

The arrangements above outlined adapt themselves equally well to a rising and falling action as to a horizontal action.

In order that my invention may be readily understood and carried into practice reference is hereby made to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings showing an embodiment of my invention having a rising and falling action and wherein- Fig. l is a side view of an example of a turning signal from the rear, with -weather hood removed, the shaded portion indicating the emission of light-rays to rear,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with weather hood removed,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with weather hood from the front, the shaded portion indicating the light rays emitted to front,

Fig. l is a vertical sectionv through the arms showing arrangement of screens in position as at Fig. 9,

Figs. 5 and 6 show respectively a plan and elevation of the means for connecting the ends of the central arms,

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of upright case showing packing to deaden noise. Y

Figs. 8, 9 and l0 are views showing positions of signals indicating respectively stop, turn and slow.

Refer-rin to these drawiiws wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever occurring throughout all the figures, a designates the arms which are so constructed, arranged and combined within a box or casing Z) that when in their operative position they are splayed in fantail formation as shown.

These arms a the construction of Awhich is hereafter more fully described, may be composed of any suitable material such as sheet metal, aluminum or wood, are pivotally connected together at c and are actuated by suitable mechanism which is controlled either from the steering wheel, or the dash board or at any other point adjacent the driver. This mechanism in the example illustrated consists of a lever d and length of Bowden wire e. Y

The box or casing Z) is closed at the sides, back and lower end and open at the front, the width of the upper arm forming the front when in its inoperative position.

The top of the box is partly closed in and to assist in keeping the casing waterproof at this point a hood pivoted to the top of the box at g is provid-ed. This hood extends a suitable distance down the front and sides of the box when the device is out of action and when in action it is lifted by the upper arm as shown in Fig. 3.

An electric bulb L is fitted centrally between the arms in a holder or seating on the spindle carrying the arms a or attached to the central arms themselves so that its movement coincides with any movement of `the arms and directs its rays in the required direction. Thus when the arms are at right angles to the box the light is directed on to their surfaces and when the device is in its closed position the lamp takes up its position of rest within the box or casing.

A leaf spring 7' is fitted below the bottom z' of the case I). Its purpose is to retain the arms (a) securely when they are returned by gravity to the casing b. A coil spring is provided through which the wire e passes behind the packing. When tension is applied to the end of the wire e the spring is compressed, and exerts the force thus acquired by the leaf spring, which in turn is depressed thus releasing the arms in time to respond to the pull on the wire e.

rlfhe upper arm is channel shaped along a portion of its length and the complete side is returned so as to close in the end, per'- mitting light to escape to the fro-nt only and in a more or less triangular' form. The lower arm is of L-shaped formation, the angle of the upper arm taking up an opposite position to the angle of the lower arm, thus obtaining the screening c'ffect shewn in Figs'. l and 3 of the draivings. The tvio or more intermediate arms consist simply of flat strips oi' mat rial the upper of such intermediate arms taking up its operative position on the opposite side to the lower intermediate arm thus allowii'ig the rays from the lamp to vbe* projected on the inner 'surface of `the four arms pern'iitting a certain portion or" the rays to'be visible from the front and the remainder to be' visible from the rear.

The degree of drop' of each of the central members iformingthe arm is effected by the meansv illustrated in F 5 and o' i'roi'n which it will be seen that the en'ds'of each of said members are bent over" at right angles and provided With a stud Z ruiming in slots mi. The position of the top and bottom members in relation to one another is controlled either when they are tightened up' oir the pivot c or by meansv of slotsin theA sides;

The box is provided with' suitable packing f/i as shewv'n in' Fig. 7 in order to eliminate rattle and rednce Wear and tear caused by 'friction to a minimunrlt may be fonndnecessary or desirable in some instances for the two arms taking up the highest and lowest positions respectively to be of concave formation' at the upper iportion or edge in the one case and' reversed in the other case: This arrangement should improve reilectioi'i and the nppei'ar'in so formed Will serve also as a shield covering the arms when in their closed position.

The apparatns is attached to the side of the vehicle and consequently in pairs, preierably at the outer border or' the Windscreen so' as to' be' Within view of the driver controlling it.

Thev improvements' herein` set forth are not'limi'tedto the vprecise construction and arrangei'nent described VJortliey may be ernbodied in various forms and modifications Without departing from the spirit-and scope of the invention.

What I claim is l. A signal for road vehicles, comprising pivotally moi'inted arms ngiilarly sivingable into inclined planes different one from the other, said armsbeiiig spaced apart, and a light disposed between the armsanfd adapted to illuminate opposing snr acesthereo'i; Y Y

2. A signal for road vehicles,comprising pifvota'lly monnted arms angniarly swingab'leinto inclined planes illerent one Yfrom the other, means'foi" regni ting the relative angular displacenfient` of said arms, Y said arms being spaced apart, and a light disposed between Vthe' arms andk adapted to illu- In'inate opposing's'nrfzices thereof.

3; A signal for road vehicles, comprising a plurality of? pivotalily mounted arms divided into tivo series, one series being spaced apart' from the other, and a light disposed between said seriesV of arms and adapted to illuminate opposing surfaces thereof.

Signed at' Pretoria, in the vTransvaal Province ot the Union ofSoi'ith Africa, September, 1925.

AUsTrN--noB-Enrs.

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